History of Canning Town East London

Like large parts of the East End, Canning Town once had a strong industrial heritage, but the area was originally marshland. As such, for many centuries, the only way to reach Canning Town was to boat or by paying to use a toll bridge. The area opened up in the early 19th century when the Barking Road was built.

This brought with it a larger bridge and more opportunities for connections with the rest of East London.

Before the reign of Queen Victoria, Canning Town had no real significance and it did not even get its name until the Victorian period. It is probably named after Charles Canning. He was a relatively famous and popular character at the time as he had successfully managed the Indian Mutiny in his role as Viceroy of India. Once the area started to be developed, however, it turned into a busy industrial and commercial hub.

Visit Canning Town in East London.

For example, in 1846, the North London train line brought higher levels of industrialisation to this area of the East End. Originally built to transport supplies from the local docks, the opening of the Barking Road passenger station, together with more housing construction, attracted more workers to the area’s chemical, shipbuilding and sugar refining factories. The football team that started in the local ironworks famously went on to become West Ham FC.

By 1855, Canning Town also had a new dock, the Royal Victoria Dock. However, the local water supply and sewage system was not designed to cope with the increasing number of local residents and businesses, and Canning Town became infamous for its slum living conditions, high poverty levels and outbreaks of smallpox and cholera due to its inadequate sanitary conditions.

History of Canning Town’s New Docks

London Docklands and Canary Wharf

The increased docklands and shipping activities brought in a new influx of local and overseas workers who needed housing, including a significant community of West African, Caribbean and Asian immigrants. At one point, Canning Town was home to the largest black community in London with over 100 families living in the area.

Many of the capital’s more dangerous industries were historically located in the East End, safely out of the way of the city of London and its more upmarket central areas. Charles Dickens described some of these industries as “offensive”.

This probably relates to the smells they created, as local businesses worked in gut spinning, varnish production and oil boiling at the time. Operating outside of the regulations of the city itself also made it easier for businesses to ignore housing and business regulations, sometimes leading to accidents.

Canning Town was no exception to this rule and the area was affected by a significant accidental explosion at an ammunition factory in nearby Silvertown. Although this accident resulted in a relatively low loss of life, it damaged tens of thousands of local buildings around the East End.

Housing in Canning Town

By the 1930s, housing conditions in Canning Town were so dire that the local council started a program to clear the slums and to provide better social conditions for local residents. Many slum properties were torn down, and new houses, nurseries, medical clinics and even a lido opened in the area. The Second World War also badly affected the area and led to further redevelopment initiatives after the war. Much of the East End was a prime target for German bombers and it is estimated that over 85% of local housing stock was destroyed.

Canning Town was also the scene of one of the worst bombing events in the war, although a government cover up at the time hid the full extent of the incident. In September 1940, local residents were sheltering in the basement of South Hallsville School during an air raid. They were staying in the school because they had been evacuated from their homes.

The school suffered from a direct hit burying all of the sheltering locals under piles of rubble. Reports at the time indicated that around 70 people died in the incident, but it is now believed that close to 600 people died on the site making this the worst civilian casualty rate in a bombing raid during the war.

Modern History: Canning Town Redevelopment

Due to redevelopment programs and damage sustained in the war, much of the housing in and around Canning Town is relatively modern; most rebuilding took the form of new council estates, including a number of high-rise tower blocks, which were popular at the time.

One high-rise block became well-known in the 1960s for all the wrong reasons when a gas explosion caused an entire corner of the block to collapse. It and its surrounding high-rises were demolished to make way for safer, and smaller, houses and the lessons learned from this accident changed the way that high-rises were built. Canning Town still remains a relatively deprived area and is undergoing continuing redevelopment.

178 comments on “History of Canning Town East London”

Hello, Just found this site. My Dad was born in Hearn Street in Canning Town in 1930 and lived there with his 2 elder sisters and parents until the start of WW2 when they were evacuated. Don’t suppose anyone knows of any photos of that street on any sites or has any memories of it or my family? My Dad often recounted how he and his mates would cross under the Thames on foot and then return on the Woolwich ferry.

Does anyone remember the Wheeler or Florey family? They lived in Randolph Rd, Custom House in the 50’s and 60’s (probably earlier than that too). My nan, Annie Florey (nee Wheeler) & grandad Sid worked at Tate & Lyle in Silvertown.I am looking for any photos of the street from any time period and Shipman Road school.

Hello I am Lisa Bruns now Davies..My whole family comes from Canning Town.They started of in Malmesbury Rd (the old one.) And they then moved to Exining Road some years later (the first house on the corner) right up until 2015 when my Grandad sadly passed away christmas eve 2014. My Dad is Stephen Bruns,he has 3 brothers and 1 sister, Keith, Geoff, Angela, Brian. And my nan and grandad were Sidney and Phyllis Bruns. Also My Great nan used to own the Fish and chip shop on Star Lane her name was Rose Hopkins but this was way back I think before the Anchor Pub was around? Which I basically spend most of my childhood in the Anchor (Or on the step outside haha) The owners used to have a daughter called Leigh and we all used play outside together must be about 30 years ago now.. I am 38.

I loved going up the raffy (Rathbone Market) and getting a hot dog for 60p and then a cake in Percy Inckles or going to Murkoffs Best ice creams ever..I lived in Shirley Street all my life and moved 2005.. All my childhood memories are from the east end and I miss it.

My grandfather was born in West Hamm, and lived in Custom House in 1911. He was 13 at the time. His name was Robert Wilfred Waters. His father had the same name, and his mother was either Eliza or Lilian Webb. He had an elder sister with the same name as his mother and some younger siblings, I believe one was named Harold.

On the census they were just listed as living at Custom House, London. No specific address – anyone know why? What was ‘Custom House’?

Any information would be greatly appreciated! My grandfather died after the first world war from an injury that left him in a wheelchair. It was a rather sad story, but thankfully my father Robert Waters emigrated to Canada and had a good life.

My name was Irene Bull , lived in Mary Street and then Silveryown Way, loved going to Rathbone market for the sarspirella and Murkoffs icecream. Love looking back to those good old days, may have been a slum area but there was more community spirit than there is nowadays.

Hello pat leach. I remember your family very well Pat Sylvia mick and mum dad, Do you remember who lived above you in Beckton road. Mr rattenberry. my sister dolly and Joan have now passed on. Ivy has, moved to Brighton, Some one may be interested to to know that mr CRIBB is still with us but retired, his real name is STAN HARRIS. I must get in touch with my cousin CHARLIE SAGE. have not seen him for many years looking forward to hear from you. .

reading about charley sage brought back lots of memmories his sister Doreen who sadly passed away as well as her mother edie and there was . Pauline.we were all related my family were the browns and we lived in beckton rd 441 next door to the leach family Sylvia and her sister pat and brother mick. and opposite down a side turning was a stadium much larger than Wembley who used to put on speedway after the war.brick air raid sheltersin the back garden,hop picking every September. I could go on and on but bye for now

I used to have a friend who lived in Star lane in Canning Town in the late 60s and 70s his name was Frank Morgan he was a drummer in a band called The Trend if anyone knows him or has information I would dearly love to hear from them

I went to school in Canning Town, the old South West Ham Tech from 1964 to 1970. They were halcyon days! Tech was very sports orientated and missing lessons to attend athletics matches and to go sailing for a week on the River Blackwater was most welcome. We were a real mixed bag. There was a really good workshop complex where you could choose between metalwork, woodwork, motor mechanics, bricklaying and plumbing. In the first year you could only do Pottery and being told that if you didn’t get all the air out of the clay, it would explode in the oven led to many a hollow head being made purely to destroy all the serious boys pots. Chemistry would involve explosives some times, again, the wrong thing to teach a bunch of budding juvenile delinquents like a lot of us were at the time. I can remember making several bombs from steel tube packed with ingredients I learned about at Tech. We blew up a tree in Balam st park with one shattering the windows of a nearby house.

Rather than have school dinners, it would be pie and mash at Mudies in the Barking Road or a cafe type place in Rathbone market that had those sugar dispensers whose lids we would loosen before we left. Vinegar bottles and salt pots also got the same treatment. You could buy loose fags in most shops close to the school and these were known as threepennies. It was pot luck what you got but I remember that Gaurds were a regular brand. Ferinos at the back of the school sold ice cream drinks, a mixture of Tizer and the lovely ice cream he sold. I have many stories of my time there which one day, I intend to put into a book. Names will have to be changed as some of the strokes pulled would be extremely embarrassing to those involved and their now families. I now work as a Consultant in the Oil and Gas business and travel all over the world and it was Tech that gave me the grounding that has enabled me to do this.

I will always be grateful to Ozzy, our brilliant headmaster, Mr Garbutt who instilled in me a love for motor engineering, Bill Thurman who always accompanied us on our sailing trips. Jim Lou will always be fondly remembered as will Fred Mundy, for all the wrong reasons. Noddy Brennan was the schools sadist master who enjoyed cutting lads arses open with his famed misuse of the cane but he was the exception,

All in all they were five years where I made friends I still keep in touch with. Great days that will never be forgotten.

Yes, my Aunt, Edie ran her veg stall for years. Originally her father’s Richard Hughes, my mother Doris, was one of Edies sisters. My grandmother was adorable lady, Edie’s and my mother’s mother. All the time they were alive I saw them at RavensCroft road. They also had a brother, Johnny who died young from tb. Did you know them well .. to me totally irreplaceable people, they had a really hard life, never complained .. salt if the earth Did you know my father, Charles brown who lived opposite

I remember you Kev.if I remember you went to wok as a finger print specialist mate. They were great days mate,never to be forgotten. I still meet up with John Aldridge (Collins brother) and Pat Parret. We are all old geezers now Kev but I can still remember the school motto, “Age Ex Animo”. I think it meant have a great time and f*ck about to your hearts content.I may be wrong but I sure tried to live by it!

Hi, My Dad and Mum moved to Malmesbury Road, Canning Town from Kingston Road, Greengate when I was 1 around 1957. They moved to a new town after having their sixth kid around 1968 / 69. Before we moved there were 6 children and 2 adults living upstairs of one of the terraced houses on Malmesbury Road, no wonder we were told to play outside and get home by dark. I have started researching my family history and currently gone back as far as 1776. It seems my family have lived in East London all that time.; around Poplar, Stepney, Greengate and Canning Town. Here are some of my memories. Playing on and picking wild rhubarb on the waste ground adjacent to rail tracks. Tiring a rope around top of street lamps, converted from gas to electric, to make a swing. Playing ‘tin can alley’ in the road. Having cut out cardboard for my plimsoles when they had a hole in the sole. Playing on flat bed lorries parked up on debris in our road. Going to the lido during the summer. Using my school dinner money for pie and mash, oh that lovely green liquor too. Being caned across my hand at Star Lane school by Mr Dunlop and Mr Owen. I remember the Head being Mrs Hood. Stone frights with the Tiger Lilly gang from Percy Road. Going to Saturday morning pictures watching Flash Gordon and Lone Ranger; not that I heard anything with all the ruckus going on by the other kids. Player cricket with milk crates as wickets. The one eyed milkman. The corner sweet shop that sold sarsaparilla, my mums 20 Number 6 fags and my dads 1/2 oz of Old Holborn tobacco. Puppet show for my birthday by a local criminal gang member. Playing on swings in Hermit Road park. My dad working at Spillers French, Silvertown (I later also worked there for 5 years). I seem to remember David Essex (Cook) and Frank Lampard senior, both a few years older than me, firing a PP gun at me as I was wearing a very heavy coat. Frank Lampard senior came to Pretoria school to teach us football. Every 5th November the fire brigade always tried to put the bonfire out on the debris, it was a huge bonfire with loads of kids running around it so not surprised. I hope you enjoyed my little trip down memory lane for us 50’s / 60’s kids living down Malmesbury Road. All the best, Tony

Tony I remember all you wrote about , I lived in beckon rd from 1939 until 1957 then moved to malmesbury terrace, I worked at the B O C M silvertown for many years . Great times wish we could have those days back kids today don’t know what good times we had.

Hi Pat I’m Charlie Doreen’s brother , sadly Doreen died some years ago. I remember you well and your sister Sylvia , we lived at 451 beckton road and my cousins Dolly, Joan Ivy and Alfie a few doors away, I live in Witham now ,. Really nice to hear from someone from Becton road , I could go on and on talking about the old days and all our old neighbours and what we got up too as kids, Love to you , charlie. I would love to hear from you again.

My Dad Eddie London worked in Johnson Bros butchers in the Old Rathbone market, and I used work there every Saturday. outside was a stall that sold all types of pickles and pickled herrings the lady who ran it was called Elsie, next to her was Ranson’s fruit & veg stall.

Next door to Johnsons was Wallis’s general store, on the other side was a Dry cleaners with the old steam press, there was also a clothing shop called Secunders (not sure of the correct spelling). I have just read a book called A East end farewell about Cribbs undertakers who where at the bottom of Rathbone st brought back many memories of the area. my Mum Molly (nee Barron) lived in Mayfield rd, when the old market was closed Johnsons moved to Hermit rd.

Love reading all these comments, thanks for posting . .. does anone remember my Aunt Edie Hughes. .. she had a veg stall for years ato Rathbone. .. she loved it. She lived at Ravenscroft Road and in the area all her life. Now lives in Norfolk

Yes, my Aunt, Edie ran her veg stall for years. Originally her father’s Richard Hughes, my mother Doris, was one of Edies sisters. My grandmother was adorable lady, Edie’s and my mother’s mother. All the time they were alive I saw them at RavensCroft road. They also had a brother, Johnny who died young from tb. Did you know them well .. to me totally irreplaceable people, they had a really hard life, never complained .. salt if the earth Did you know my father, Charles brown who lived opposite

Hi, sorry, mis understood. A long long time ago I went with my Aunt Edie to see Uncle Tom .. remember it well because I was young and it all seemed scary. It was the only time i went to see him but ut was quite close to RavensCroft road. I have no idea if it is the same Tom, he was old and this would have been around 1960. All very vague and unfortunately no one left to ask.

Yes, there was an Esther at my grandmother’s funeral, again so vague, I only met her that one time. But I remember asking how it was that I had never seen so many of the relatives that were there, before. The answer was they had little contact because they were in her father’s side of the family (Richard Hughes ) which could make sense. A long time ago 70s I would think Very sorry, no one left to ask

I’m from the SEATONS AND WEBBS…. Silvertown and Canningtown…. Circa 1900s…. They moved to Barking and Forestgate in 1920 till 1950….when my Mum married Dennis Collins in Sparsholt Lane. They emigrated to Australia in 1953.

I have just opened up some old memories with the publishing of the 1939 register on Ancestry. My mum was Gladys Jones born 1924 older sister Vera and younger sister Iris (Bubs). They lived in Maud Street with my grandfather Edwin who was a sewage worker and staunch trade unionist. My maternal grand mother died in 1934 aged 33 when mum was 10. Mum used to talk of Rathbone Street market but I thought nothing of it when growing up, mum and dad died in 2005. Mum was bombed out and moved to New Road Chingford where she met dad at a dance in Walthamstow where dad lived and I was born 55 Glenthorne Road.Mum was bought up I believe by aunt Lena, but was never really talked about. I now have a large family tree on Ancestry but would love to hear from anybody who might have known the family and can fill in some gaps.My grandfather died relatively young at 63 with lung problems almost certainly from his days in the sewers.They are buried in Plaistow cemetery. Thanks Graham Rutledge

My Mum was born in ‘old canning town’ as she always referred to it. Millicent Hawkins was born in 1926 and lived in bidder street. when the houses were declared slums by the then King and demolished, she moved to Kildare Road. I was born in Plaistow, and have great memories of canning town market from the guy in the butchers who chanted what he was selling. the hot saveloys and peace pudding. the live eels in caters, and the horror of them having their heads chopped off ! but most of all my love of mirkoffs icecream.

Mirkoff’s!!! I remember that tiny icecream shop. My mum used to take my sister and I there for a treat. The icecream was out of this world – by far the best I had tasted. The old street market (Rathbone Market, also known as Raffy) was a 10 minute walk down our road. I was born in Plaistow Hospital in the mid 60’s and lived in Malmesbury Road, Canning Town, until the houses (called slums) were demolished in 1976 and we moved to Plaistow. Caters supermarket – what memories! I can faintly remember the live eels. Also the laundry on the corner, opposite Caters, where we used to take our washing if it was too difficult to hand wash.

Hi Karen. Whereabouts in Malmesbury? I was born in 1947 at no. 25, then around the age of eight we re-located to no. 80. I went to Star Lane Infant and Junior, then onto Pretoria (now known as Eastleigh). My family name is Burns, and Nichols, also Denwood in Clarence Road.

My mother, Patricia Conlogue nee Florey grew up in Randolph Rd, E16. Her mother, Annie and father Sidney both worked at Tate & Lyles. My mother attended Shipman Road Secondary School in the 1950’s and I attended a primary school on Prince Regent’s Lane in the late 1960’s before we relocated to Thetford, Norfolk with Jeyes. I had a great friend called Donna O’Shea who I believe lived on/near Churchill Road.

Does anyone have any post war pictures of this street or the area that has now been demolished?

My aunt is Rita Florey, who would be about 77 now; she moved to Australia about 10 years ago. I am trying to locate any photographs of the area, especially Randolph Road and the primary school on Prince Regent’s Lane that I attended in the late 1960’s.

My husband is 77 so roughly the same age as your Aunt Rita. I would say we’re talking about the same Rita. My husband’s name is Ted Coppell and he’s just said that Rita was a lovely girl – he liked her. We came to Australia in 1974. What state does Rita live in?

I believe she is in Western Australia – I don’t have any contact with her these days. My mum passed away a few months ago and I am annoyed with myself that I didn’t ask her more about ‘the good old days’ as she referred to them. I have found a photo of Shipman Road school on the internet – it looks quite forbidding. However, mum always said the school reminded her of the school in “To Sir With Love” with Sidney Poitier, minus the handsome Mr Poitier of course! I love that movie ; very nostalgic. Mum & Rita used to live at 92 Randolph Road and as a child I moved to no. 54. There were also some prefabs on both sides of the street. I remember going on errands to some shops at the top of Randolph Road and also to the summer reading club at the library. As a family we all ended up in Gorleston-on-sea in Norfolk (near Gt Yarmouth) which is where mum, Rita used to have holidays in the 50’s and 60’s

Mum used to talk about someone called Rita Millett – does your husband remember her?

Hi ya Tracey. Donna O Shea died of an overdose some years ago now. I was her friend at Woodside School. I named my daughter after her. She was a wonderful person. I’ve been trying to find any photos of her.

I think I have an old school photo of Donna (aged about 6/7). Not sure how to get it to you though – but perhaps you meant you would like one of her as an adult. I see the name Wheeler in your post. My grans family were Wheeler’s (I think my gran was one of 11 children) who lived at 63 Randolph Rd. Any relation that you know of?

Born, 1929. I lived at 29 Cave Rd Plaistow.One Sunday in July 1944 . We left the house at approx. 11am. Doodlebug hit it at approx. 12pm . Many neighbours killed and injured. We were lucky. Any one out there know anything about this. Was not evacuated I have lots more info.Live in Kent now.

Did anyone contributing to this page go to or is/was familiar with Stratford Grammar School when it was in Stratford behind West Ham Recreation Park – around 1952-1955. The schoolwas relocated to a site close to The Spotted Dog after that time. If there is someone familiar with the school around that time do they also remember a teacher by the name of Mr. Fieldgate?

My grandfather was born in Canning Town (c1898) and lived in 34 (I think) Scott Street. His name was Albert Coulson, son of Joseph Coulson. I am starting to trace this part of my family if anyone can help/is related.

Hi Robert I come from canning town and there are a few really good Facebook sites…canning town memories…start with this one and they will advise you on another one where they help you trace people from the area…I’m sure someone will be able to help you on there. ..good luck

My mother, Hilda Clark, was born at 197 Barking Road, Canning Town to Tom & Sophia (Dolly) Clark. She had three older sisters, Edna, Mary and Mabel (but Mabel died in childhood, I believe) and a younger sister, Pamela. In 1937, the family moved to Barking. My mother died in March 2016, aged 92 and, had she lived another 3 months, would have celebrated the 70th anniversary of her wedding to my father Jack Cresswell – now 98, but not all that well.

Hello, I have just came across this site, My maternal G Grandmother (Margaret Alldridge nee Andrews) was born in 1902 at 29 Clarence Rd, Canning Town (as were her sister Ethel 1903 & brother James 1908) by the time she married in 1919 she was living at 32 Clarence Rd. My grandmother was also born Canning Town, most of my maternal side came from Canning Town, Poplar, Bow, West Ham, at some point though they moved out to Southend & Romford.

I was brought up in 42 Morgan st canning town until. I moved to 8 Lambert Rd custom house I’m wondering if any one remembers the name of the men’s Taylors shop in Rathbone st in 1964 where I got my wedding suit does any one remembers Bacon bills shop

Reading all of this is very interesting , my Mum is still hale and hearty at 94 years young and still living in the Cotswold Village that she was evacuated to ,after they were Bombed out of their house in MALMSBURY ROAD ,CANNING TOWN . My DAD no longer with us ,lived in RANDOLPH ROAD ,CUSTOM HOUSE , he and his Family were also evacuated to the same Village , he was in the ROYAL NAVY and my Mum did welding on Lancaster Bombers . Funny enough , my Paternal Grandparents returned to Randolph road after the War and when my Grandad died in late sixties ,my Nan came back to the Village , My Maternal Grandma stayed in the Village for the rest of her life. I wonder if there are any people out there that would have known them or the Family ? I was trying to remember what my school my DAD went to , he first worked in the Paragon factory when he left school, my MUM went to Star Lane School which is still in use today, I know because my Nephew was a Teacher there a few years ago.

My husband also had his wedding suit made at this tailors, in 1969. The shop was called Pollock’s, I think the tailors were 2 brothers. It was THE PLACE to go for wedding suits, I remember my husband had several fittings before they were satisfied it was just right

My family came from custom houe went all the time to rathbone market my nan had a row of two ups at the bottom of rafy market lisa willis opposite pub cant remember name of pub mary and jackie murphy were her daughter and son in law we moved to essex when l was 8but every wknd was back there my. Parents were jack and joyce willis

It’s a pity my Dad is not around today he would have loved remembering all those names from the past. I still have the scales he used to sell and check and I use them all the time. I am sure no one will want them when I am gone. It is still great that someone remembers those times.

I was born in 1938 at St.Mary’s Hospital but my Father had a scalemaker & hardware shop at 121 Rathbone Street, Canning Town. His father started the business in 1866 but of course with war my Father was bombed out and moved to Essex. I don’t suppose there are any survivors from that era but it would be interesting to find out.

I was born in 5 Ford Street (off Rathbone market) in 1930 and have been trying to find out the name of the shop my grandmother (Emma Garner) had close by. It was a General store (not very big) and I have found picture of my old school (St.lukes) along with the church where I attended, I was evacuated but my parents were bombed out and moved to Rainham village in Essex. Wish I had been more interested in research when my parents were alive to tell me. Now I hanker to be able to tell my grandchildren a more detailed history. I loved Rathbone Street at Xmas. the stalls carried lit lamps on corners of stalls, smell of roasting chestnuts and the butchers selling of the turkeys outside the shops, the boxes of tangerines wrapped in their orange papers all added to the thrill.

I was born in 1938 in St.Mary’s Hospital, but my Father had his Scalemaker and hardware shop in 121 Rathbone Street, Canning Town which had been started by his Father in 1866 Samuel Ashmore Arnold. My Father’s job was to check all the Stallholders scales to make sure they were accurate. He was of course bombed out and we had to move to Essex. We did in my youth visit the market to catch up with people, one of them Mrs Olley. I think her shop was jellied eels but it may have been pies. I still have the scales he made so long ago. I don’t suppose there are many of the old timers from there left now but just maybe there might be some survivors.

I have already commented elsewhere on this site, my dear Auntil, Edith Hughes, had a vegetable stall on the Rathbone market, originally her Father’s, R Hughes, he was trading during wartime and my Aunt, came back to Canning Town in the war as her evacuation place wasn’t nice. She is a great character, lived in Canning Town all her life. . She is now 91 and still full of life and love If anyone knows her please let me know

Your Aunt lived next door to my family in Ravenscroft Road we were number 83. As a child I went into their house when my grandmother died. Mrs Hughes looked after me. Edie was working on the stall in the market. They were the only family to have a lorry outside their house

Hi Lesley .. thanks for this so happy to read your comments. My aunt now lives in Norfolk but will never forget her roots. My grandmother, Mrs Hughes had a really hard life, was a very dear old lady, when I was young I stayed with her a lot. My other grandmother Mrs Thorp lived opposite at number 72, maybe you knew her too .. Didn’t get on well with her Thank you again for replying, do you still live in London? I don’t but love the East End .. will never stop going back

Hi I’ve just been reading about your family the Hughes . I also believe I come from the Hughes family from Canning Town. My mum was adopted as a small baby her mothers name was Phylis Copping her mother’s name was Clara Nellie Copping and father was Thomas Hughes apparently he was a bandsman I wonder if anyone remembers either one of them Tania

My Family are from Canning Town and Custom House any still do. my nan still lives there and is 95. My Granddad past way this year he was born in 1920. They had some great stories about the area. I live close by and it is changing so much, not always for the best I fear, it great to hear the memories of people.

Hi, my dear Aunt, still alive and well at 91 years, had a fruit and veg stall at one point quite near to Caters, the supermarket when it was there. That was when I used to go there. But the stall was her Father’s. . R Hughes, and was trading through the war. My aunt Edie Hughes took it over and worked there until she retired. Does anyone remember her? Or Johnny, the guy who helped her. Would love to hear any stories from anyone that does .. she is really rather special, stayed in Canning Town all through the war and she is a very important person to me. Thanks to anyone reading this. Janice .. I am in the book about the Market, when the Ships come in .. as a toddler

Hello I know aunt Edie I used to help her on the stall when I was young. on hr days off she used to take me and by brothers and sisters to the beach in her estate car. She is a lovely lady. I used to shovel the snow from her path in the winter. I hope she is well. Edie is my Nan’s cousin I think.

Thank you so much for this .. so sorry have not been to this site for ages What is the name of your Nans cousin, if it is ok to share it Yes, she used to love taking her Mother to the seaside and loved children so she would have been so happy to take you out in her car She had a really hard life but considered herself lucky and was content with nothing I am writing in the past tense, she is still alive and well but whisked away a few years ago from her home, friends and livelihood to a care home in Norfolk by my posh sister who hardly knows her My Aunt still considers it is temporary and still talks of returning to her friends and going to the local place in London she signed herself up for Lovely lady .. thanks so much for writing

My dad reckoned world war 2 was the best thing that ever happened to him and mum.

She was from Poplar, he was from Hermit Rd, Canning Town. George and anne Kerry. My brother was born in 38 and my dad was in a reserved occupation when war broke out. They were bombed out on 1940 and Mum Gran and bro jumped on a lorry that was leaving the area. The driver picked his way thro’ London and made his way to the only place he knew outside London. The village of Bentley in Hampshire where he had been a hop picker before the war.

Mum and bro were allocated a room in a farm house the day after they arrived having spent the 1st night in a hopping hut. Gran went back to Canning town cos granddad was working on the rail system in the V and A docks. They got bombed our again but still stayed. Dad was finally allowed to join up and spent 4 yrs in the RAF in Nigeria and Belgian Congo a real cushy number comparatively speaking but his younger brother Stan was sank by the Yanks while a Jap POW after Singapore defeat.

Mum and 2 year old bro stayed on the farm for the rest of the war and were joined by dad after demob in 46. They all stayed on the farm for several more years finally settling in a new council house in the village where they had 3 more kids, me included. Gran and Granddad stayed in Canning Town, finally ending up in a 2 room flat in a terrace house in Star Lane, no bathroom, outside toilet, landlord constantly wanting them out. They deserved more! Granddad died in 66, gran in 79. We lived the life of Riley in our wonderful village in Hampshire….huge garden plus allotment…played in the woods and barns, swam in the river Wey. But my parents where always Londoners…

I spent my life worshipping a certain team in Green St and travelled regularly to see grandparents, aunts, uncles…..and Bobby Moore. Haven’t been back in 30 years and google earth street scene shows the changes, but my, wouldn’t the folks who have passed be so proud of the East End Olympics.

Hello Patrick, thank you so much for your story. I used to drive through the village of Bentley most mornings as I returned home from Heathrow Airport to Whitehill in Hampshire, where I lived for 4 years around 2001. I’m now living in mid Devon and haven’t been back to East London for a couple of years now, but yes…how it’s changed so much.

Hi Malcolm. I was born in 98 Hayday Road, Canning Town in 1946 . I remember riding my tricycle around the block, past the bomb site that me and my brother used to play on, also past a shop I knew as Forinos, they also sold the most delicious ice cream, with pieces of lemon ice in it. Also on one corner was what we knew as Lennie’s oil shop where presumably we bought the paraffin. I had an aunt in Kildare Road and another in Tinto Road. Opposite our house on the other side of a the road was a paper shop where we bought a bottle of Tizer every Sunday to have with our dinner ! I also used to love going to Rathbone Street where my Aunt always bought me a warm sarsparilla and my mother always bought our clothes, all second hand of course. I started school at Denmark Street School but wasn’t there for long as we moved to Devon in 1952. Wonderful memories.

We moved to Edward Street in Canning Town in 1961/2 when I was 5 years old. I remember Mr Forino’s shop, right on the corner. I remember the ice cream and the lemon ice. You could have a mixed cornet! I went to Keir Hardie School and in the summer, if I was good, Mum would buy me an ice cream on the way home. I walked to school with Mum and crossed what is now the A13. My Mum is 95 and still lives in Canning Town. I moved to Kent over 30 years ago but go back to visit Mum every week. There have been so many changes, Canning Town is almost unrecognisable. Rathbone Street market has gone and the area is being gentrified. Sad really. All that East End character gone.

I looked up my Dad’s address on google and found it is now a crossroad. 121 Rathbone Street and I still have the business card showing the business started in 1866. I also have a photo of him with a stall outside his shop selling all the hardware. I may well scan it and put it on here just to add to the history.

I remember a small shop on the corner of Coolfin Rd and Butchers Road that we used to call ‘Greeny’s’. This was in the 50’s is this the shop that you knew as Forinos? Also several people have mentioned Keir Hardie school. I’m certain that there was no such school in the 50’s. Does anyone know when the school was built or is it an old school renamed?

We moved to Edward street in 60/61 I was born in 49 and we lived with my nan in Chadwin road, I went to tollgate school.When my brother came along in 59 it moved us up the list, hence the new house in Edward street.I remember forinos from my time at south west ham tech, used to spend our dinner money on single ciggies, yeah great memories

Hi, my Nan lived in Hayday Rd. I was born in 1961, and I remember the shop opposite you. Like others I remember the live eels in the supermarket at ‘Raffy market’ as my mum called it. My mum and dad met at the Paragon and married at St Cedds church. I remember being taken to the Lido on warm days. Im trying to remember the name of the grocers shop on the main road leading down to Woolworths that sold loose macaroni and other stuff out of large tubs – was it Maceys or something?

I remember it well . My Nan used to take me there and buy 2 comics Film Fun and Radio Fun, and put some money on a card for the Annuals at Christmas.I lived in Kildare Road, and I used to go to the greengrocers opposite Harry’s newsagent shop. The greengrocers was Sall’s ,I believe I called her aunt Sall as she new my Mum quite well. No problem with plastic bags , you took your own bag and everything went in- potatoes, fruit etc. Happy Days.

I once drove Esther back to her home in Gants Hill, from an Anti-Nazi rally where she had been speaking. She invited me into her home where I met her husband. She showed me many of his paintings. Each one pictured a Polish village. As we looked at each, he sadly shook his head and said, ‘No more, no more, all gone’. He was a lovely man.

MY Grandfather, Billy Adams, was a Lightweight Champion from Canning Town, London. Became the Lightweight Champ of West Virginia (USA) and got Jack Dempsey to give his gloves to his son (my Dad). Billy Adams sparred at “sporting shows,’ most advertised was the world heavyweight champ “Battling Hooker’. He had to for the money; Professional or “Prize Fighting” was illegal. Would send pics but website does not allow.

HI, I was born in 1949 , at No 4 Clarence Road. I have very strong memories of Wrens sweet shop. Do you remember the fizzy sherbert drinks that he made from a big red bubble machine, served in a jam jar for 1 penny?

Hi Robert, I see you lived at no.4 Clarence Road, and I see Clarence Road has been mentioned quite a lot, so I don’t know if anyone remembers a family called Lock who lived right on the corner, it came under Clarence Road, but the rest of the houses was just as you turned the corner? I will ask my sister in law Jackie who lived at Clarence Road,with her sister Doris (called Babs) George and Chris Lock (the boy I married!) the mum was Doris Lock and hubby George Alfred Lock. Sadly Babs (Doris) passed away a few weeks ago, so a funeral to attend to this week, and I lost my gorg. hubby Chris which now only leaves Jackie.

I bet she would remember if there was a sweet shop there, and it has surprised me that everyone talking about Rathbone Street Market? That no one has mentioned the bingo that they used to play in the market with milk tops? I used to win lots of prizes off there, and yes I sure do remember the sarsaparilla in barrels I loved it! There was a mention of the name Adams? I lived in Steele Road West Ham and there was a family of Adams who lived at no.50? And the name Coulson?

There was a family who lived right opposite us called Caulson, the lady was called Rose and worked at a sweet factory? I wonder if this is the factory that was mentioned? This lovely lady used to give my mum two whacking big tins of sweets, one was boiled sweets and the other was toffees, because my mum had 8 kids, and every xmas she made sure we got some sweets. I was shocked to see that this lovely lady was buried in a common grave in East London Cemetery right behind my Polish stepdads grave, and the Ordnance Arms pub was mentioned? I celebrated my 21st birthday in that pub and I remember my hubby buying me a gorgeous royal blue dress with streamers down the back, oh what lovely memories but also lots of sad ones too.

So I don’t know if Robert or anyone who lived in Clarence Road remembers the Lock family? They was just off the corner, it might have been a shop on the corner? And then the door where my future hubby Chris lived, there were no more houses there just that one, cant remember the number but my sister in law would tell me, and then the rest of Clarence Road was just around the corner to the house the locks lived in whereby you went upstairs, oh it must have been a flat with a back yard lol. Yes, it is changing everywhere now, we didn’t have much then but we was far happier than kids are today! Rosina Lock via facebook

hello l;m sorry to say that dale road has gone l believe its now a park. l grew up in dale road from 1945 to 1954 no 121 when we moved to the next street clifton road no 77 next to the bombed church yard can any one remember my father riding around the street on his speedway bike in the early fiftys he was called ray terry and was known as the duke of canning town ,when l was a lad we used to walk to peggy leg bridge and stand there as the trains whent underneath l can smell that steam from the trains kind regards

I was born in Canning Town in 1948, and lived in Chester Road. My mother’s family name was Cridland and my father’s was Speight. I remember Murcoff’s ice cream, particularity the lemon ice which was a type of sorbet, which was my favourite. I also remember the old Rathbone street market, particularity the stall that sold cordials including sarsaparilla, and buying roll mops out of a barrel for 3d each, I think. There was a lady there who used to grate horseradish to sell, her eyes permanently running. When the new Rathbone market was built I remember a fish stall run by Kathy Thake (I think) where my dad would buy live eels, and the wonder of a supermarket! Caters where the novelty was picking up a wire basket and helping yourself! My aunt ran Popkin’s fish shop down the Hermit Road – signed ‘Fish, wet dried and fried’, she was always good for a bag of crackling.

My husband John Sidney Clark, went to Harold Street School. He was born in 1941. His family still live in the East End. This June We’re going on holiday to visit them. We’re staying on The Isle of Dogs. I’m an East End Tragic!! Love the history. I was born in Auckland, New Zealand and we now live in Perth, Western Australia. Lyn Clark

I used to have a market stall at Christ Street Market, selling Christmas decorations. The nearby Pound Shop used to check my prices and undercut me. As a result I never made a profit. After giving up I became a teacher at Royal Docks Community School, Custom House. I am shortly publishing a novel set in wartime Canning Town.

Murcoff’s! I loved the ice cream from that place and I’ve never found anything that tastes like it and believe me, I’ve tried! I remember having hot sarsaparilla. My Nan would only have fish from Thakes and if you bought it anywhere else, she knew! When she went to live with my cousin in Wiltshire and we visited, we had to buy bowls of jellied eels for her and take them with us! There was also a stall where the lady sold buttons. Hundreds of buttons! If you lost a button from a coat or jacket you could go to the stall and find one to match. My Mum knitted jumpers for my children and would buy novelty buttons from the stall. I can’t remember the lady’s name.

Just come across this site which I find very interesting. My mother was born in Charford Road in 1923 and her sister in Tree Road, Custom House in 1911. Their father and other family members worked at the Docks. The family home was bombed but everyone returned to Canning Town (Ling Road) to live, except my mum, who married and moved to Essex. It was my second home during the 1960s and early 1970s. I remember the trolleybuses and Murkoff’s ice cream! I also remember buying fish and chips from Billy Betts shop in New Barn Street but cannot find any reference to it anywhere. My mum’s aunt lived at No. 1 Beckton Road, which was demolished for the flyover to be built. Her son was Eddy Grimstead who ran the motorcycle business.

Pat Jolly I know a Brian Jolly who now lives in Cornwall but whose famy are from Canning Town. Any relation? I am trying to find a connection between his family and mine and was interested to see your comment about Jolly’s Greengrocers. My Grandad Parker had a Greengrocers shop as did his parents. They were bombed out during the war and moved to Essex. My Gt Aunt bought a house in Goodmayes and we went to live with her. She was in the rag trade and did business with a lot of Jewish people. I use to do fashions shows at Bodgers as my babysitter worked there!

Hi Dee I cannot say for definite if Brian Jolly is a branch of my family or not..My grandfather and great granfather didnt seem to keep closr ties with their siblings..So i know very little about them..My gt grandfsthrr came from Suffolk and he must have had siblings but they are all a mystery to me..So sorry cant help you..x

Pat, the shop I remember did sell ice cream through a window at the front of the shop. Just mentioned this story to my husband and he says the shop is where you say but he doesn’t remember what it was called.He also thinks I may have got my memories mixed up and that Rossi’s ice cream was sold in Southend. Does anyone know? My husband’s aunt used to have a toy stall in the market. She had the stall for quite a few years.

I used to visit an ice cream parlour as a child, on Cranbrook Road in Ilford. I would have laid money on that being a “Rossi’s” as well but apparently not. Seems we have both had an education on this topic!

There also used to be a an ice cream parlour in the centre of Valentines Park, seem to remember eating lots from there as well. Simple pleasures in those days – now I can just go to Tesco and buy a tub.

Born in Percy rd in1947, in a nissen hut.My nan lived in Rathbone st. when it was the market place, remember the live well stall, the fortune teller at the start of the road. Remember the street party for coronation day,won a model of a tractor for winning a race. Anyone got any photos.

Peter, yes I do remember Rathbone St. market. I went to Clarkson St school that backed onto the market. Used to spend lunch time in the market. Bought a pennorth of broken biscuits out of my lunch money and Horlicks and/or Fishermans Friend tablets. I also remember the live eel stall (I think that’s what you meant) and the sarsparella stall. The fortune teller singled me out by name one lunchtime (didn’t know her from Adam). This was a couple weeks before the eleven plus, she told me not to worry – that I would pass and go to grammar school. She also told me I would go far overseas to live (I have been in Australia since 1974) and have a family of three children. All that came to pass so I’m now hoping that her prophecy of a long life also comes to fruition 😀. Do you also remember Rossi’s ice cream just round the corner from the market. Best ice cream ever.

hi Vicki…if it was the sweet shop next to the Ordnance arms pub and directly across the road to Canning Town Public Hall then it would be Murkoffs..they used to sell the ice cream outta the front window. They were Jewish and nade their own ice cream.. There is a FB site called Memories of Canning Town that people put photos on. Murkoffs crops up from time to time.. Or i have a couple of pics..if you wanna see em i can Message them to you..let me know..

yes they were named Mansfield Buildings Right next to Star Lane School. People get them muddled with Manor Buildings which were round the corner on Manor Road My dad lived there from 1928 to 1938 My granddad new it was the wrong place to be as a war was coming. The buildings are no longer there but Star Lane school is. We took my 95 year old father back there few years back and walked over the bridge where the old railway was I think he called them inky pinky steps Don’t quote me. The boys used to stand on the top and try and throw stones down the steam engine funnels nice to have my dad around for the memories

My Grandmother was born in Malmesbury Road. I would love to know what housing looked like back in the 1890s as a huge proportion of her family lived in places like Swanscombe Street Woodstock Street. Wouldham Street and the list goes on. My Grandmother was of German descent, and her grandfather worked in sugar refining. Love to hear stories of this place.

George olmit. I was born at 162 malmesbury road opposite the landlords office ,mr Jude.? a builders yard a general shop where you could purchase broken biscuitswas opposite.my grand parents also lived in malmesbury road.Mc Williams and Olmits. Twelve cousins McWilliams lived in Percy road.Two vivid memories , walkingfrom north woolwich past pools of burning debris after a bad air raid in Silvertown in 1940to find that malmesbury road was deserted and all buildings were bomb damaged the residents haveing done a moonlight flit and later while waiting for a trolly bus to go to the ferry looking up and seeing the street sign Hermit toad for some 15 years I had understood it was called ERMIT road.

Is this the same Jollys greengrocer that had a shop on Hermit road Canning Town opposite the sweet shop Tarrants? I also lost my uncle in the Ronan Point explosion as well would love to know more details about a memorial 4 people died if my memory servers me right?

Just a couple of facts to add to your article. The slum clearance in Canning Town/Custom House after WW2 resulted in the creation of what was known as the Keir Hardie Estate. The estate was named for James Keir Hardie, the first Labour MP and a member of the first Labour government, the Ramsey McDonald Labour government. He had previously been an independent and represented West Ham South in the early years of the 1900s. The ‘infamous’ towers you mentioned were Ronan Point, Patterson Point. There was a third but I’ve long forgotten the name. My sister-in-law lived in Patterson Point and it was Ronan Point that lost one corner of the top floors through an explosion. Local rumour had that someone was storing gelignite ‘under bed’ but the more prosaic reason for the explosion was probably a gas leak. The tower blocks were a cheap and nasty way of housing the less well off. From memory the grounds were not well looked after and the lifts always stank of urine. I was thankful that my family had been rehoused in a decent, attractive environment long before those monstrosities were built.

I lived on the Kier Hardie Estate..from 1952…In Tarling Road near St Lukes church…I also know the Tower blocks you refer to, Merrit Point, Ronan Point Dodson Point Abrahams Point and several more. My sister lived in Merrit and I lived in Dodson…Ronan point was in fact a gas explosion it happened on the 15th floor…My dad’s cousin and his wife both died in the disaster…As a matter of fact i and a friend have been in contact for the last two years to have a memorial put in place for the victims…The area of Freemasons Road will be undergoing a large refurb to go along with the new Crossrail Line at Custom House Station…Newham Council have agreed to it…it is just a matter to decide where to place it… The Beckton area was reclaimed marshland..I also lived there from 1983 off Tollgate Road….Many properties today still suffer subsidence because of the ground..

Pat, I’m sorry you lost family in that Ronan Point disaster. I had moved away from the area by then but most of my family still lived off Freemasons Road. My sister-in-law lived in Patterson Point at the time of the explosion and my husband’s aunt lived in the third tower block. I remember only those three being there, perhaps the others were built at a later date. I moved from there to Chingford then to Walthamstow and on to Brentwood and finally left the country for good in 1974.

Hi Malcolm..I lived in Brunel Street off the Silvertown Way from 1946.. before moving to Tarling Road..My family name is Jolly, we were greengrocers and we had stalls down the old Rathbone Street, before taking over shosp in the early 50s. Our shop was just across the railway lines from the Victoria Dock…I have written a book about growing up in Canning Town…It’s called ‘A Jolly Time in Canning Town’ by me Patricia Jolly…..available on Amazon, Newham Bookshop and Waterstones…The heart has gone out of it now…but still i return often

Hello, thank you for your comment. I was born early ’70s and East London still seemed to be just about hanging onto the “old ways”. I remember seeing the derelict dock cranes, the rag and bone man on a horse and cart. Everything going silent for Remembrance Sunday at 11am.

The pace of change nowadays is so rapid that I struggle to recognise parts of Ilford where I grew up. The rat runs my grandfather would drive to take us all to Kings Cross to visit his mum etc.

You lived in Ilford eh…In my younger days Ilford was ‘posh’…lot of money people there…A lot of Jewish people lived there…Jewish people loved a fur coat..My aunt had a mink fur coat and a mink fur jacket made over Ilford…Being as my family were in business they mixed with other business families and one of them was Jewish..The lady if that family took my aunt to the furriers and told him what my aunt wanted..Then she said the skins had to be female mink…My aunt didn’t argue..Apparently female mink is softer that male mink…My aunt is now 92.. She wanted me to have her fur coats..they woulda been too small for me, but i suggested that my cousin would like them…It was only recently that they were given to my cousin. I found the bill for the Full length coat dating back to 1967.. £3,000.. My aunt only wore it a few times..then left it in the wardrobe cos the animal rights people were throwing paint over people wearing fur coats in the 70s…I used to like shopping in Bodgers…they did nice stuff..

My grandmother used to clean a house for a Jewish lady who lived in Gants Hill. I still remember the lady’s name to this day. My grandparents lived near Kings Cross station and moved to Ilford in the very early ’60s. Certainly was a step up from their tiny flat in a Victorian block in Tonbridge House.

I heard in Barking St that there treasure they left..some of them are dimposed but this woman never tell to just landlord but they digged n breakfast the Brick ..there’s some left according to my knownfriend ..the woman keeps this not report to police or counselled bec of the woman intention..how can you the treasure find this tresure ..to detected gusto treasure..

My grandfather was born in Canning Town in December 1875, his name was Charlie Thomas Shaw as was his father and his mother was Annie Jack. My grandfather immigrated to Australia late 1800 early 1900s.My aim is to come over there when I retire and try and find a little more of his background, if there is anyone who know or connected to this family I would love to hear from you.

Hi my grandfather lined in bengeo st two streets away from Canary Wharf , their surname was Hopewell my grandmother was Mary Ann my grandfather was John Edward my dad was one of 12 him being th last born , I could not even imagine what life must have been like,

Your the 1st person I have found who had a relative living in Bengeo St. One story which my Mother told me was about the bomb that hit Hallesville School. They were suppose to go to the school, but my father said no were not going there and instead went to an air raid shelter. hen I saw it on TV it brought it all to life.

The “Blitz” TV program rang a bell, hence the post. By 1893 the Warren family had moved to 42 High St, North Woolwich. (Now Pier Rd, I believe) by 1916 my grandfather lived in Station St, where my father was born, until bombed out during blitz.

I’m youngest of 10 kids I’m now coming up 58 my mother was one of 12 kids she was born 1919 her dad was in the boer and WW1 and was a warden in the 2nd growing up in Canning Town and custom house was the best time of me life we had sod all but we had family and true proper people.. Have to go a long way to find the kind of people that come from that place.. Times AV changed around that place now pubs where all the memories of the jolly ups have gone! The rows and rows of the old vic house where I once lived have gone but a trip down memory lane brings back all the old characters names faces and places.. My home my town Canning Town my kind of people x

my name terry I was born in canning town I came from a family of five kids I was the youngest we move into house just as the war ended I was born in 56 and the area still look like a bomb site but I love it and still do even so I now live in norfolk

Hi Terry, there can only be one Terry Hulme. We lived next door to each other, and your mums name was Hilda and mine was Mary. I have one sister Mary, I’m sure you will remember and 2 brothers younger than me. You have brothers Ron, Colin and sister Julie? if your the right person, my mum was your god mother when you and your siblings were all christened at the same time Glad you swopped East London for Devon. I moved to Kent 1976, but still have relatives in Canning Town. Although they were hard but great times growing up, and often wish they were still, as less complicated than today.

Malcolm, I have just posted a comment on the site re the South Hallsville school disaster. I am puzzled as to why the area is referred to as Canning Town when our address in Murray Square was Custom House E16, in fact all of that area was Custom House down to the Lido on Becton Rd. When did Custom House lose its identity?

Vicki, There isn’t a single agreed boundary between Canning Town and Custom Hose which creates a lot of confusion. The only official line in use appears to be current council wards which put Murray Square *just* in Canning Town South – the boundary with Custom House ward starts at the bottom of Freemasons Road, heads up, turns left along Coolfin Road, right up Mandela Road, left along Hooper Road then right up Butchers Road all the way to the A13 (which took over Beckton Road).

My Mother’s family came from Canning Town. My Gt Grandfather was a Dockworker. All 7 children were born in the early 1900’s and I know life was hard for them. They lived in Beckton Road and went to Holborn Road School. It affected them in different ways; some had no children and lived indulgent lives and the others had many children and lived frugally. I am amazed they all came through both World Wars unscathed. My Mother was born in 1939 in West Ham but after WW2 most of my family moved away from the area to places like Essex. My Grandparents and all my Gt Aunts and Uncles have now passed on and I regret not finding out more whilst they were still alive; I now rely on sites like these to help me paint a picture of what life must have been like for my East End relatives.

I grew up in Ilford as you may have read, so know those areas very well. My parents are post war babies but my grandparents had plenty of stories to tell. Likewise we as a family migrated to Essex before then moving all over the UK. I’m in Devon now.

Malcolm, I was born in Forest Gate, as a baby lived in Oakdale Road, evacuated to Somerset, back to Forest Gate then were rehoused to Murray Square, Custom House. I’m still puzzled as to why that area is referred to as Canning Town. In the early 70s I moved to Brentwood and from there to Australia. My husband and I now live in Victoria but we’re spending Christmas with our daughter and her family in Darwin. It is hot,muggy and very wet right now. Happy Christmas to you and all your blog friends.😊😊😊

I was born in 1938 at St Mary’s Hospital but my father business was a Scalemaker and hardware shop at 121 Rathbone Street market where he had to check all the stallholders scales to make sure they were accurate. He was bombed out and we had to move to Essex and I wonder if there are any survivors of that old market. His shop was started in 1866 by his Father Samuel Ashmore Arnold.

Derek Bailey on Visit Wapping in Historic East LondonMy brothers and I lived in Jackman House which is off of Wapping High Street at Watts Street in the the late 1950's. Jackman was part of what was known as the Wapping housing estate began by the LCC in 1926. Anyone out there who lived on that estate back

sue willis on History of The Isle of Dogs LondonHi as the children of an Islander my brother & I are regular readers of Isle of Dogs Lives & we were especially pleased to see an article on Alpha Grove. Does anyone remember the Bircham family firstly of Mellish Street & then no 67 Alpha Grove? They were George

John Dallman on Brick Lane History, East LondonI grew up in Flower & Dean street off of Brick Lane 1559 - 1970. I lived in a late Victorian tenement block called Ruth house (Demolished) I remember Brick Lane when most of the shops were Jewish and what is now a mosque was a synagogue. I remember going

Vicki M Kay on The Sinking of The Princess AliceMy 3rd great grandfather Filmer Kidston was abourd with his second wife Elizabeth, their two sons and two girls and a boy from his wife’s previous marriage. Filmer spent about 45 minutes in the water with one of his sons before they were rescued. His wife was found drowned almost

Dave Bamber on V1 and V2 Rocket Attacks in East LondonJuly 3rd 1944 30 Twickenham Road, Isleworth. Does anyone have any information about the bomb that destroyed my Aunt`s house. Her name was Evelyn May Bamber and she was killed. Many thanks, Dave Bamber.

Bill Nicholson on Poplar Upper North Street School DisasterHello Stanley I'm disappointed to have missed the centenary of this dreadful act - I visited the area during 2012 and hoped to be able to visit again. Anyway I decided to look it up following the centenary of the end of WW1 this weekend. My mum (Olive Clayson) was

Janice Brown Josch on Coventry Road Ilford EssexI come from Canning Town, but about 30 years ago my now husband, Ulf, came from Germany to work at Mattessons in West Ham. He rented a room in a house in Coventry Road.

Janice Brown Josch on History of Canning Town East LondonHello everyone .. did anyone know my now late father, Charles Brown? Lived in RavensCroft Road, his mother (remarried) Eileen Thorp

Shirley Runnalls (Wallis) on History of the Royal London HospitalJust read the history, brought back memories as I was SET 326 at Tredegar' Sad to hear the uniform is no longer used. We have a film in Cornwall re Edith Cavell Tomorrow so I have old LH newspapers re her plus photo of Edith Cavell Home also LH badge

Kellie Fennell on History of Canning Town East LondonHi Robert I come from canning town and there are a few really good Facebook sites...canning town memories...start with this one and they will advise you on another one where they help you trace people from the area...I'm sure someone will be able to help you on there. ..good luck

Lola on Brick Lane History, East LondonThis article is so off base. I've lived around brick lane for years and never heard anyone call it Banglatown. And the curry restaurants are appalling. They rip you off. They ran on a few years of reputation but started scamming on quality or watering down wine thinking people wouldn't